To Trim Prices, Automakers Dropping Content

Newsletter Stay up to date on car reviews, buying guides, articles and more When it comes to selling cars, one tried and true method to move inventory is this: drop the price. In the past, manufacturers often did so without de-contenting, since margins were usually strong enough to absorb a hit on selling price.

Faced with higher production costs and stronger competition from global brands, that’s not always the case today. Instead, manufacturers are still slashing prices, only now they’re quietly trimming content from cars as well.

USA Today uses the slow-moving Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet as an example. In 2011, the base price started at $46,390, but Nissan cut the base price to $44,540 for the 2012 model year.

What’s missing? The navigation system, which is now available as an option, priced at $1,850. In other words, 2012 Murano Cross Cabriolet, identically equipped, costs the same as it did in 2011.

The same thing happened with the Chevrolet Volt for 2012. GM cut the price by $1,000, but deleted the navigation system as a standard item. Adding it back in costs $1,995, or $995 more than the $1,000 saved. In other words, an apples-to-apples Chevy Volt is more expensive in 2012 than it was in 2011.

Sometimes manufacturers cut prices for bragging right alone. In 2011, the cheapest Dodge Journey equipped with a third row seat cost $23,240, which was $145 more than the next-least-expensive three row crossover, the Kia Sorento.

Dodge wanted to offer the least expensive three-row crossover for 2012, so they trimmed features to get to a $19,990 starting point. If you want amenities like roof rails or sunscreen glass, you need to buy the $2,000 SE Quick Order package, and all Journey option packages have gone up in price for 2012.

The bottom line is this: if you’ve had your eye on a particular make and model and suddenly find it thousands cheaper than it was last year, there’s probably a reason for that. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

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Chevrolet prices Sonic subcompact from $14,495

Replacing its dated Aveo, the Chevrolet Sonic will go on sale later this year beginning at $14,495 including a mandatory destination charge.

Still set to be known outside of North America as the Aveo, the small car gains a new badge in this market in an effort to differentiate it from its rather pedestrian predecessor.

Available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback configurations, the Sonic can be ordered in three different trim levels – base LS, midlevel LT and upscale LTZ. Surprisingly well-equipped even in base configuration, the Sonic is designed to give entry-level buyers a more premium vehicle than they might expect. It’s a recipe that has been successful so far for the larger Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan and GM is optimistic that it will work on a smaller subcompact.

LS models come standard with 15-inch alloy wheels, 10 airbags, stability control, OnStar, air conditioning, power locks, keyless entry and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Sedans list from $14,495, while hatchbacks start at $15,395.

For $15,695 (sedan) or $16,495 (hatchback), buyers can step up to the LT, which adds a six speaker audio system with a CD player and three months’ worth of XM Satellite Radio, power windows, heated power side mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB adapter, steering wheel radio controls, heated front seats, cruise control, fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels.

GM hasn’t priced or detailed the range-topping LTZ trim level.

What makes a Sonic?
Chevrolet has been sure to tout its upcoming Sonic model in hatchback trim, starting with the reveal of the sport-minded Aveo RS concept, but little had been said about a sedan variant until its debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit..

The North American version of the Sonic will come standard with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine backed by either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Putting out 138 horsepower and 125 lb-ft. of torque, it bests both the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit for grunt. A 138 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged engine will also be on offer for $700 on LT and LTZ models, and although its horsepower rating is identical to the smaller engine, it will offer a broader and higher torque curve offering 148 lb-ft. at just 1,850 rpm. With the 1.4-liter, buyers have the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Given the Sonic weighs about 500 pounds less than the Chevrolet Cruze, it should offer above average performance.

A higher-performance model based on the Aveo RS show car is still likely to debut in the future.

Inside, the Sonic gains a much more upmarket interior than before, including more premium materials and a much sportier design. Its instrument cluster is said to have been inspired by motorcycles.

Both Sonic models will be built for North American buyers at the automaker’s Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant, which makes the Sonic the only subcompact built on United States soil.

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Gas Prices Steer Buyers To Fuel-Efficient Cars

Gas Prices Steer Buyers To Fuel-Efficient Cars. Take a look at some of the more fuel-efficient cars that are available to you today. You can buy a new car and save money on gasoline.

(NAPSI)—With oil hovering around $100 per barrel and gasoline prices continuing to rise, more car buyers are interested in cars, trucks and utilities that offer fuel economy, especially those with EPA-certified ratings of 40 mpg or more.

To achieve this, car manufacturers are working to improve aerodynamics and fuel-saving technologies.

For example, Ford recently designed the PowerShift, a dry dual-clutch automatic transmission, six-speed automatic transmissions, electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and EcoBoost engines that save on fuel with no compromise to driving excitement.

One of their newest cars is the Focus SFE, EPA certified at 40 mpg highway and 28 mpg city. Focus joins the 41-mpg-city Fusion Hybrid and 40-mpg-highway Fiesta in the 40-mpg-and-over club.

In addition, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, with its 41-mpg-city EPA-certified rating.

The arrival of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine later this year in the Edge crossover and Explorer SUV will see two more nameplates join the best-in-class mpg club.

More of the company’s fuel economy stars include:

• Mustang V6: the first car in history to deliver the combination of 300-plus horsepower and more than 30 mpg.

• F-150: Its 302-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic deliver a best-in-class 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

• Fiesta: The combination of a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder and available six-speed dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission delivers 40 mpg on the highway.

• Super Duty: The 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine delivers as much as 20 percent better fuel economy than the 6.4-liter it replaced.

• Edge: Edge delivers 19 mpg city and a best-in-class 27 mpg highway. The upcoming 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in the 2012 Edge is expected to deliver even greater economy.

• Fusion Hybrid remains America’s most fuel-efficient midsize family sedan, topping the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 10 mpg in the city, according to the EPA.

• Escape Hybrid, Transit Connect, Ranger and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid also lead their segments.

Car buyers will be paying close attention to mileage numbers in the near future and these efficient cars are likely to benefit from that trend.

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Buick prices 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist from $30,820

Earlier this year Buick announced major news for the 2012 model year LaCrosse when it introduced eAssist “smart electrification” technology will come standard on all trim levels paired with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, boosting fuel economy to an impressive 37 miles per gallon on the highway for the large luxury sedan.

Today, General Motors has finally added pricing to the list of information it has shared about the next LaCrosse, with the base price starting at $29,960 plus $860 destination. The total $30,820 base price will come with the eAssist-equipped 2.4-liter engine, but a 3.6-liter 303 horsepower, 264 lb-ft of torque V6 is also available on some trim levels at no extra charge.

Buick also promises an all-wheel drive variant with the V6, but specs have yet to be announced, along with pricing.

Other new features arriving for 2012 include a dual-zone climate control system, 17-inch alloy wheel, a full-color driver information display center and both USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The 2012 LaCrosse will also have a late-year change that sees the addition of IntelliLink as standard, which will utilize Bluetooth and USB technology along with an eight-inch touch/display screen. IntelliLink is Buick’s latest telematics system and it will cover several functions ranging from phone pairing to music management.

This jump in fuel economy is made possible by adding a 115-volt lithium-ion battery, paired to a 15-kilowatt electric motor that is capable of producing 15 horsepower and 79 lb-ft of torque. The system is also capable of regenerative braking, which combined results in a 25 percent increase in fuel economy to 25 city, 37 highway.

In addition to this mild hybrid technology, Buick also equipped the 2012 LaCrosse with Start-Stop engine technology, which seamlessly powers down the engine at idle to conserve fuel, despite current EPA regulations failing to reflect savings in fuel economy ratings. Rounding out the changes that make these fuel economy figures possible is a six-speed automatic transmission, underbody aerodynamic tweaking and low-rolling resistance tires.

Like many other hybrids on the road, Buick will also equip the LaCrosse with an ECO gauge that allows drivers to see real-time usage and adjust driving accordingly for optimal economy.

The trade off for such a welcome gain in fuel economy comes in the form of a somewhat smaller trunk space, as well as the addition of approximately 65 lbs.

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Top Five Ways To Beat Rising Gas Prices

Take a look at the top five ways to beat rising gas prices and possibly save yourself some money this summer. There are simple ways to increase your cars fuel efficiency and anyone who wants to spend less at the gas pumps should take a look at them.

(NC)—This summer, Canadian drivers could face gas prices of $1.40 or more per litre, but a recent survey commissioned by leading automotive retailer, Canadian Tire found that 75 per cent of drivers have no plans to stop driving. Drivers are, however, looking for ways to offset rising gas prices.

One of the most important things that drivers can do to offset increased prices at the pump is to improve their vehicles' fuel economy – by maximizing the number of kilometres a vehicle can travel on a litre of gas.

Poorly maintained vehicles consume up to 15 per cent more fuel but according to Michelle Massicotte, associate vice-president, automotive at Canadian Tire, there are simple tips that every driver should keep in mind this summer to reduce fuel consumption. “Improving your vehicle's fuel economy can be as simple as adjusting your driving habits and adhering to a regular maintenance schedule. Not only will you save money by using less gas, but you'll also reduce your vehicle's emissions and your carbon footprint.”

Canadian Tire recommends the following five simple tips to improve your vehicle's fuel economy:

1. Stay Calm And Slow Down:

While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed, fuel mileage is known to decrease rapidly at speeds above 100 km/h. Avoid quick starts, hard stops and aggressive driving as they can increase fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent.

2. Monitor Tire Pressure:

Tires that are not properly inflated use more gas, so get the most mileage out of your gas and ensure your tires don't wear out as quickly by keeping them properly inflated to manufacturer specifications. Use a basic air pressure gauge to measure tire pressure monthly when tires have not been driven on for at least three hours.

3. Stay On Schedule:

Following the recommended service maintenance schedule will ensure that your vehicle is running optimally, resulting in better fuel economy. Changing the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluids accordingly ensures that your vehicle is not using more fuel than it needs to and helps reduce emissions.

4. Reduce Vehicle Weight:

Carrying excess weight in your vehicle's trunk increases your fuel consumption. Carry only what you need and avoid the extra cost.

5. Sign Up For A Gas Rewards Card:

Cards, such as the Canadian Tire Gas Advantage MasterCard, help you save up to 10 cents per litre at the pump.

For more information on how to improve fuel economy, visit: http://canadiantire.promo.eprize.com/fuel/

I happened to check our local gas station yesterday while I was driving in NJ and the prices were almost at 4.00. It's going to be an expensive summer for driving again so be sure to take a quick look at the money and gas saving tips in the top five ways to beat rising gas prices. I know I am! I also read an article that said gas prices were falling, but I will believe that when I see it.

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Ford raises vehicle prices for third time in five months

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Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specifications, and pictures.

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Ford raises vehicle prices for third time in five months

New Cars Home

Learn more about new cars with our extensive collection of overviews, specifications, and pictures.

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How To Spend Less Money On Fuel When Gas Prices Rise

How To Spend Less Money On Fuel When Gas Prices Rise gives some solid tips on how to save money on the gasoline for your car. Find out how to use your gas more economically with this fun article.

Gas prices proudly flaunt gravity. They rise faster than a helium balloon and can fluctuate quicker than anything else I can think of. And in the wake of rising gasoline prices its victims are riled, traumatized and nearly bankrupt.

Be not afraid. Wipe the tears and put away the wallet. Here is how to spend less money on fuel when gas prices rise.

What You Know

Most parents have instructed their children on the proper don’ts of driving: don’t idle lengthily, don’t brake unnecessarily, don’t accelerate quickly and don’t speed. Almost perfect: one should idle 2-3 minutes to warm an engine in extremely cold weather.

What You Don’t

The following driving techniques were likely not included in your parents’ speech, “Driving Is a Privilege, Not a Right.”

To achieve maximum gas mileage, use the following hypermiling routines.

Pulse And Glide:

Smoothly accelerate five mph past your target speed, then coast until you are five mph below your optimal speed, and repeat.

Draft:

Select a benevolent semi-truck cruising nearby and draft behind it.

Coast:

Unless absolutely necessary – meaning that jail or death is a distinct possibility – do not brake!

For fuel economy purposes, cleanliness is next to godliness. A clean air filter, spark plugs and oil sump can increase fuel efficiency 5-30%. Use synthetic oil and replace it every 3,000 miles or per manufacturer’s recommendation.

If cash is more important than comfort, reduce the use of air conditioning, entertainment systems and all power accessories.

Inflate your tires regularly to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, which balances rolling resistance, ride comfort and traction. This can improve fuel efficiency 3-10%.

Install smooth hubcabs, side skirts, a grille block and other cosmetic alterations to improve aerodynamics and increase fuel efficiency.

Only use cruise control on flat terrain.

Feed your fuel tank like it's a baby. Fill it slowly, do so in the morning or evening, do not top it off, never run the vehicle on empty, and do not use high-octane fuel unless recommended by the manufacturer.

Here are four extra tips for the unhealthily desperate.

Walk everywhere.
Bribe your gas station attendant.
Eliminate all teenagers from driving your car.
Build your own refinery.

Okay, so those last three ideas aren't going to happen...but they are something to think about and I bet at least one of them made you crack a smile!

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April Sees Record High Used Car Prices

If Kelley Blue Book and Manheim Consulting are correct, used car prices are at an all-time high, favoring consumers looking to trade their existing car on a new model or even sell their used car in a private party transaction. In particular demand are late-model, fuel efficient cars, which dealerships are having a hard time convincing customers to part with. 

That doesn’t sit well with automakers, who may soon be facing new product shortages related to the March disaster in Japan. It also doesn’t sit well with car dealerships, many of which already have low inventory of clean used cars. As any student of economics will tell you, a short supply and high demand creates escalating prices.

The Detroit Free Press cites a KBB study showing that used car prices have increased 20% since January of 2011.  By way of example, they cite values for a three-year-old Ford Explorer; in 2007, such a truck would have been worth roughly $7,100, while last month the value of a three-year-old Explorer was $14,200.

Manheim Consulting, who tracks auto auction prices, reports that prices currently being bid are higher than any time since they began keeping records in 1995.

Dealers aren’t making more money off of trade-ins, since they’re likely to be paying higher prices for used vehicles. If you’re looking to buy a used car, expect your search to take longer than in years past, and expect to reach deeper in your pocket when you find what you’re looking for.

On the other hand, if you’re selling a used car, the odds of finding a buyer and getting the desired amount are better than ever before.

[Detroit Free Press]

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Used car prices hit record highs

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March Sales: Gas Prices Push Compacts, Ford Beats GM

No April Fools here. It’s a good-news day for the economy. Unemployment fell to 8.8 percent, with 216,000 jobs added in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says, the lowest level in two years. Manufacturing contributed 17,000 jobs, many of them in the auto industry. Professional and business services added 78,000, although 37 percent of those were temp help jobs.

Manufacturing expanded by its fastest pace in nearly seven years, with help from both U.S. and overseas demand. Here in Michigan, the employment growth rate is running third highest in the nation, though unemployment remains in the double digits. Anecdotally, the Detroit Three are trying to lure computer geeks away from Silicon Valley. They may not be able to handle the weather, but they’ll like the housing prices. And Chrysler LLC is running out of room in its Auburn Hills tech center. So many of the new jobs in the Detroit Metro area are white collar, presumably with healthy salaries.

The automakers estimate March auto sales at 1.2 million units, up about 13.2 percent over March ‘10, counting medium and heavy-duty trucks. The seasonally adjusted average rate (SAAR) is running in the low 13-millions.

Still, statistics show little growth in average hourly rates, further widening this country’s long widening income gap. Sure, blame $3.65 per gallon gas, but perhaps slow income growth also is responsible for American consumers shifting to smaller cars. GM is trumpeting the fact that it sold 50,205 Chevy Cruzes in the first quarter of the year, compared with 48,725 Malibus and 49,541 Impalas. The Malibu and Impala have been trading places as Chevrolet’s number-one sedan in past months, and the Cruze passed them overall for the quarter by being second every month. Of 18,018 Cruzes sold in March, 15,541 were retail and 2,477 were fleet. Of 18,063 ancient Impalas, just 4,572 were retail and 13,491 were fleet.

Ford Motor outsold GM in March, as GM eased up on the incentives that gave it a strong January and February. GM says its March incentives were about the same as Ford and Chrysler’s, but above the industry average, in order to maintain, and gain market share.

B- and c-segment car retail market share for the industry increased from 19 percent in December 2010 to 21 percent in January/February, and to 25 percent in March, says Ford sales analyst George Pipas. Sport/utilities were off 4 points, to 29 percent retail market share, from December to March and full-size pickups were off 3 points, to 10 percent of retail share. Keep in mind these were numbers for the U.S. industry, not just Ford. However, Ford reported big numbers for its pickups and vans, including the Transit Connect, because it sold a lot of trucks to commercial fleets last month.

As evidence of oil price sensitivity, EcoBoost and 3.7-liter V-6 take rates on the F-150 are strong among retail buyers. B- and c-cars, or subcompacts and compacts, leveled off in the last three weeks of March as gas prices leveled (not unlike the spring 2008 scenario).

Pipas said he’s continuing to monitor whether fairly steady gas prices, or reduced small car inventory contributed most to this late-month flattening. Already, Fiesta inventory has dropped from a 60-day supply in late March to 40 days.

I’m concentrating on the Chevy Cruze, because it was the first new compact out after GM and Ford first said consumers were downsizing. They believe the compact segment will eventually pass the midsize segment, permanently, in the U.S. Chevy says its $19,000 Cruze average transaction price is $2,000 more than the soon-replaced Honda Civic and $3,000 more than the Toyota Corolla. Still, compare the Cruze’s ATP with GM’s average for cars, $25,900, reported for the second quarter of 2010.

GM has long claimed it can make money on small cars like the Chevy Cruze, but there’s a much bigger problem coming from the East. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami has affected the country’s domestic market and auto production. It has affected parts production, and power disruptions will affect production across the country for the next several months, at least. Publicly, GM, Ford, Chrysler and their foreign competitors are spinning the looming parts shortage. They’re “continually monitoring the situation” don’t have any shortage of models, yet. That will change later in the year if they don’t find alternate part supplies by mid-May. Second quarter profits across the industry could be in for a big, big hit.

And so, to the numbers …

1. Ford Motor Company: 212,777, up 19 percent.
First quarter: 496,720, up 15.9 percent.

Ford brand sales rose 28.2 percent, to 204,276.F-Series rose 25.3 percent, to 53,272.Twenty-two percent of ‘11 F-150 retail buyers bought the EcoBoost engine and 15 percent bought the 3.7 V-6. Ford’s retail order bank has a 40-percent take rate for the EcoBoost V-6.Fusion sales set a monthly record, at 27,566, up 21 percent. For the quarter, Ford has sold 65,023 Fusions, up 26.5 percent.Fiesta sales neared the 10k level, at 9,787.Escape was up 25 percent, to 23,975.Focus fell 11.9 percent, to 17,178 as the old model sold down. Only a handful of new ’12 Foci are in those numbers.Explorer was up 111.3 percent, to 12,482, and 10,828 of them were the new, unibody, transverse-engine ‘12 model.Explorer looks ready to take over for Flex, which has not been able to catch Chevy Traverse sales. Flex was down 28.8 percent, to 2,468.Lincoln dropped 2.2 percent, to 8,501 last month. Will it follow Mercury into the brand graveyard? Mercury sold 10,486 units in March ’10, and of course, zero last month.

2. GM: 206,621 up 9.6 percent.
First quarter: 592,545, up 24.1 percent

Chevy Silverado’s number was 32,555. Add 1,655 Avalanches (yes, Chevy still builds them) and 11,622 GMC Sierras to total 45,832 big trucks.Chevy Colorado was up 25.2 percent, to 2,561 and GMC Canyon was up 24.4 percent, to 765. Obviously, the temporary parts-shortage plant shutdown won’t affect these trucks.Chevy Camaro again beat Ford Mustang, though the gap is really thin. Camaro was up 0.7 percent, to 8,964 and Mustang was up 46.8 percent, to 8,557. Dodge sold 3,989 Challengers, up 24 percent.Impala was GM’s bestselling car, at 18,063 (+15.8 percent), mostly with fleet sales. Cruze was next, at 18,018 and Malibu was off 12.4 percent, to 15,551.Chevy Equinox was up 16.7 percent, to 14,949 and GMC Terrain was up 29 percent, to 6,301.Chevy Traverse was off 4.7 percent, to 8,230. GMC Acadia was off 5.9 percent, to 6,418. Buick Enclave was up 8.4 percent, to 4,899.Buick division was up 20.9 percent, to 15,663. Cadillac was up 4.5 percent, to 12,164.Chevy delivered 608 Volts, Rush.

3. Toyota-Scion-Lexus: 176,222, off 9.2 percent.
First quarter: 433,924, up 11 percent.

Toyota announced mid-year price increases that will affect cars and trucks at dealerships by May. The company says unfavorable exchange rates are responsible, and that the decision was made prior to the earthquake.Toyota reports no shortage of any models as a result of the earthquake. Like everyone else, Toyota is “monitoring” parts and production availability, and Prius and Lexus stand to be most affected.Lexus sales chief Mark Templin says the brand’s “pipeline is full” with Japanese-built models on the way.Corolla sales of 30,234, off 1.7 percent, nearly caught Camry sales, off 16.4 percent, to 31,464.Prius was up 52 percent to 18,605.Toyota has 12,250 Prii in U.S. inventory. It has an 18-day supply, versus 32 days at the beginning of March.Prius V’s August launch date in the U.S. has not been affected, so far.Tundra nosedived 32.9 percent, to 7,515. Tacoma was up 3.5 percent, to 10,144.Lexus division was off 1.5 percent, to 20,682.Lexus delivered 8 LFAs.

4. American Honda (includes Acura): 133,650 up 18.9 percent.
First quarter: 307,978, up 18.5 percent.

Accord beat Camry, with 33,616 sold, up 11.2 percent. Crosstour was off 22.5 percent at 2,083, despite a new ad campaign.Civic beat Corolla, up 33.8 percent to 31,213 as Honda tried to make room for the new model.Insight was up 62.2 percent, to 2,782.Honda sold 1,685 CR-Zs.Acura division was up 3.6 percent, to 12,611.TSX was off 11.9 percent, to 2,810, with 388 of those wagons.

5. Chrysler LLC: 121,730 up 31 percent.
First quarter: 286,950, up 23 percent.

Dodge brand was up 49 percent, to 44,102 and Jeep was up 36 percent, to 33,155.Chrysler sold 6,750 200s, versus 3,783 Sebrings last year (and 975 leftover Sebrings this March).Jeep Patriot was up 109 percent, to 5,602 and Compass was up 108 percent, to 3,703.The new Dodge Charger posted 8,986, up 44 percent, while Avenger was up 92 percent, to 5,954.Ram pickup was up 23 percent, to 21,898. Dakota was up 45 percent, to 1,612.Is this a joke? Fiat sold 500 500s.

6. Nissan North America (with Infiniti): 121,141, up 26.9 percent.
First quarter: 285,358, up 25 percent.

Nissan says this is a U.S. sales record for any month in its history. Despite that, it fell 589 units short of Chrysler.Altima outsold Camry at 32,289, up 31 percent.Sentra was up 104.7 percent, to 17,851 and Versa was off 19.8 percent, to 11,075.Titan was off 21.8 percent, to 1,920, and Frontier was up 12.7 percent, to 4,609.Murano was up 3.5 percent, to 5,682. Nissan sold 4,089 Jukes.Infiniti was up 13.5 percent, to 11,287.

7. Hyundai: 61,873, up 32 percent.
First quarter: 142,620, up 27.9 percent.

Add Kia sales for a total of 106,052, still seventh.Sold 22,894 Sonatas, up 20.9 percent.Good month for the new Elantra at 19,255, up 134 percent.Hyundai says 28 percent of its March sales units are rated 40 mpg highway, or higher.

8. Kia: 44,179, up 44.7 percent.
First quarter: 104,774, up 36.6 percent.

Bestseller Sorento was up 1,866 units, to 11,071.Soul nearly doubled, to 10,028.Optima was up 89.7 percent, to 6,891.

9. Mazda: 30,905, up 33.3 percent.
First quarter: 64,559, up 15.4 percent.

Passed Subaru, VW, BMW Group and Daimler since last calendar year’s numbers, with all models posting increases except the lame-duck Tribute (they still make -that?).The 5 minivan was up 139.4 percent, to 3,866.The 6 was up 15.3 percent, to 4,135.3 is the bestseller, at 12,467, up 9.8 percent.CX-9 was up 22.5 percent, to 3,635.CX-7 was up 30.7 percent, to 3,407.Spring is here: Miata was up 7 percent, to 645.

10. Volkswagen of America: 27,176, up 22.7 percent.
First quarter: 67,039, up 15.0 percent.

Best sales month in seven years, enough to move it ahead of Subaru and BMW Group.Add in Audi for a total of 36,944.Jetta was up 84.5 percent, to 16,969. Maybe there’s something to selling on price after all.CC was up 16.9 percent, to 2,331.Tiguan was up 12.5 percent, to 1,970.Golf was up 5.8 percent, to 3,106.

11. Subaru: 26,916, up 13.2 percent.
First quarter: 67,457, up 17.3 percent.

Slid behind Mazda and VW, but passed BMW Group.Outback was up 37.8 percent, to 10,498.Forester fell 9.9 percent, to 7,629.Legacy was up 27.6 percent, to 4,450.

12. BMW Group: 26,382, up 21.7 percent.
First quarter: 64,958, up 18 percent.

The new X3 posted 2,648 units, up 270 percent.5 Series was up 55.6 percent, to 4,491.Mini brand had its second-best sales month, ever in the U.S., at 6,087, up 68.6 percent. Its best month came the last time oil prices were rising; 6,312 units in May 2008.

13. Daimler AG: 22,971, up 11 percent.
First quarter: 57,262, up 10.2 percent.

Mercedes-Benz sold 21,484, up 9.4 percent.Smart sold 1,062, up 175.1 percent and Sprinter sold 425, off 37.2 percent.C-Class was up 8.9 percent, to 6,542.E-Class was up 21.1 percent, to 6,107.

14. Audi: 9,818, up 14.3 percent.
First quarter: 25,383, up 19.1 percent.

A4 was the bestseller, up 12.1 percent, to 3,428.R8 was the biggest gainer, up 103.8 percent, to 106.Q5 was up 22.5 percent, to 2,083.

15. Mitsubishi: 7,560, up 39 percent.
First quarter: 20,167, up 48 percent.

Outlander Sport was up 8.6 percent, to 1,401.

16. Volvo: 6,369, up 21.6 percent.

First-quarter sales are up 10.2 percent.Sold 1,952 S60s.

17. Jaguar/Land Rover: 4,315 up 16 percent.
Up 18 percent for the first quarter

Land Rover was up 26 percent, to 3,441.Jaguar was off 11 percent, to 874.

18. Porsche: 2,588, up 36 percent.
First quarter: 7,007, up 34 percent.

Cayenne sold 1,049, up from 397 in March ’10.Panamera sold 654, up from 542.911 was off, to 609 from 615. Boxster/Cayman fell to 276 from 351.

19. American Suzuki: 2,497, up 11 percent.
First quarter: 6,702, up 18 percent.

SX4 is the bestseller, off 14 percent to 1,070.Kizashi was up 77 percent, to 703.

Saab Cars North America: N/A

Compacts in March:

1.)   Honda Civic: 31,213

2.)   Toyota Corolla: 30,234

3.)   Hyundai Elantra: 19,255

4.)   Chevy Cruze: 18,018

5.)   Nissan Sentra: 17,851

Midsize cars in March:

1.)   Honda Accord: 33,616

2.)   Nissan Altima: 32,289

3.)   Toyota Camry: 31,464

4.)   Ford Fusion: 27,566

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How To Spend Less Money On Fuel When Gas Prices Rise

How To Spend Less Money On Fuel When Gas Prices Rise gives some solid tips on how to save money on the gasoline for your car. Find out how to use your gas more economically with this fun article.

Gas prices proudly flaunt gravity. They rise faster than a helium balloon and can fluctuate quicker than anything else I can think of. And in the wake of rising gasoline prices its victims are riled, traumatized and nearly bankrupt.

Be not afraid. Wipe the tears and put away the wallet. Here is how to spend less money on fuel when gas prices rise.

What You Know

Most parents have instructed their children on the proper don’ts of driving: don’t idle lengthily, don’t brake unnecessarily, don’t accelerate quickly and don’t speed. Almost perfect: one should idle 2-3 minutes to warm an engine in extremely cold weather.

What You Don’t

The following driving techniques were likely not included in your parents’ speech, “Driving Is a Privilege, Not a Right.”

To achieve maximum gas mileage, use the following hypermiling routines.

Pulse And Glide:

Smoothly accelerate five mph past your target speed, then coast until you are five mph below your optimal speed, and repeat.

Draft:

Select a benevolent semi-truck cruising nearby and draft behind it.

Coast:

Unless absolutely necessary – meaning that jail or death is a distinct possibility – do not brake!

For fuel economy purposes, cleanliness is next to godliness. A clean air filter, spark plugs and oil sump can increase fuel efficiency 5-30%. Use synthetic oil and replace it every 3,000 miles or per manufacturer’s recommendation.

If cash is more important than comfort, reduce the use of air conditioning, entertainment systems and all power accessories.

Inflate your tires regularly to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, which balances rolling resistance, ride comfort and traction. This can improve fuel efficiency 3-10%.

Install smooth hubcabs, side skirts, a grille block and other cosmetic alterations to improve aerodynamics and increase fuel efficiency.

Only use cruise control on flat terrain.

Feed your fuel tank like it's a baby. Fill it slowly, do so in the morning or evening, do not top it off, never run the vehicle on empty, and do not use high-octane fuel unless recommended by the manufacturer.

Here are four extra tips for the unhealthily desperate.

Walk everywhere.
Bribe your gas station attendant.
Eliminate all teenagers from driving your car.
Build your own refinery.

Okay, so those last three ideas aren't going to happen...but they are something to think about and I bet at least one of them made you crack a smile!

Automotive : Link Sponsors

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New Car Sales: Higher Gas Prices Didn’t Matter…Until Now

Mainstream news outlets were quick to credit the popularity of compacts in last week’s March sales reports to rising gas prices. I’m not so sure about that. Except in California and a couple of other states, gas prices didn’t begin to approach $4 per gallon until after the April 1 numbers were released.

Yes, Chevy made a lot of noise about selling 18,018 Cruzes last month, and more than 50,000 for the first quarter, most of them to retail customers. Note also that Ford sold 12,482 Explorers in March, of which 10,000 were the new model and none with the EcoBoost turbo four. The Explorer is only available with the 3.5-liter V-6 at launch.

What’s happening? It’s a combination of good old American planned obsolescence – the same attitude that has millions of Apple iPad 1 owners ready to toss them away for iPad 2s – and advertising.

The 2008-10 recession and the disappearance of the good old days of 16-million+ annual sales has weeded out all but the most serious new car buyers. This consumer is either a serial new car buyer, perhaps bouncing from three-year lease to three-year lease, or he/she just can’t stand to drive your five-year-old+ clunker anymore. Perhaps these buyers simply must have Sync or keyless go, but they’re probably not enthusiasts, otherwise they wouldn’t be buying Cruzes and Explorers. Any fuel efficiency improvement can be impressive.

They pay attention to advertising. As 2953 Analytics’ Jim Hall likes to point out, there’s so much competition for new car buyers that automakers need to step up advertising in order to stand out. How would you explain Nissan’s success last month with its aged Altima, which had a significant TV ad campaign last month (it must have, for me to notice) and beat the equally aged Toyota Camry and its diminishing reputation?

Ford marketing chief Jim Farley explained at the Chicago auto show that he launched the 2011 Explorer on social websites, six month ahead of time, because he thought it wouldn’t kill off sales of the old, body-on-frame Explorer. What he didn’t say is the old Explorer was dead, already, anyway; just 60k last year, down from nearly half a million in its heyday. It won’t take a major hit to beat the ’10 Explorer.

Even with $4 gas, economy is relative. Suburban families can get more or less the same space and utility as in the old, 13/19 mpg Explorer (4WD, V-6), but with fresh new styling and more toys inside, and 17/23 mpg (AWD, V-6).

The new Explorer buyers are mostly upper-middle income suburban families. As I postulated with my April 1 monthly sales blog, I think stagnant incomes had as much to do with the success of cars like the Chevy Cruze as fuel prices. If your income hasn’t significantly risen, you won’t be ready for midsize cars that cost more than $20,000, so a near-midsize car with a $19,000 average transaction price seems a pretty good deal.

If gas prices keep rising, the May 1 report will be much different. A few more post-mortem observations from last month’s numbers:

Bring out your dead.

Counterpoint to the success of the Explorer is the failure of the Flex. Ford sold just 2,468 in March, and year-to-date sales totals 6,823, off 21.8 percent from the first quarter of ’10. Most months, Chevy Traverse outsold Ford Flex by more than 2:1. Last month, Ford turned the tables with the new Explorer, beating the Traverse by roughly 2,000 units (counting only the ’11 model Fords). I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Flex fade away by the end of the year.

About that Explorer …

Yes, Ford sold more than 10,000 of the new model, the one we placed last in our family crossover comparison. Probably none of those buyers saw our report before heading to dealerships, though that’s not to say sales will drop off this month. After all, we really like the new Mustang, and it’s still struggling to catch Camaro sales.

Fusion is a powerhouse.

I’ve repeated many times how Alan Mulally mistook the Five Hundred as the Taurus replacement. Last month, with 27,566 sold, the Fusion proved itself a midsize sedan capable of taking on the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Three months into ’11, Toyota has sold 76,821 Camrys, Honda 71,544 Accords (including 5,349 Crosstours), Nissan 69,551 Altimas, and Ford 65,023 Fusions. By now, Mulally must be convinced that the Taurus never will be the sales powerhouse it was, with 5,954 sold in March, off 15 percent. The new, similar-sized Dodge Charger posted 8,986 sales, up 44 percent.

Whither Lincoln?

I didn’t get into Lincoln sales in my April 1 blog. Last month, they were down 2.2 percent, to 8,501. But Lincoln dealers had no Mercurys, which posted 10,486 units in March ’10, and 0 last month. Lincoln sold 1,060 MKSes, off 26.5 percent. Compare that with the Cadillac CTS, which was up 36 percent to 3,904.

Toyota will rise again, but…

A new Camry is due to launch late this year as a 2012 model. Sales will rise, though I think Toyota’s recent quality and public relations gaffes will have an effect, that the new car won’t be an automatic buy for brand loyalists. In the old days, Toyota could manage to keep volume on an outgoing model high, then ramp down production just in time for the new model arrive, thus avoiding heavy discounting. The Japanese parts shortage is a separate issue, but it looks like this giant is showing some weakness in handling the market and its model transitions.

And Honda?

Civic had a strong month as Honda prepares to replace it. Whether c-cars reach c/d-segment sales or not, this is the most compelling segment of the year. The new Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze will be chipping away Civic’s sales, and I’ll keep a close eye on their numbers. The ’12 Focus’ numbers ought to ramp up to normal levels by late summer. Meanwhile, a steady 30k or so will continue to automatically buy Toyota Corollas.

Let’s not forget compact crossovers.

The old Ford Escape easily beat the newish Chevy Equinox. Ford sold a whopping 23,975, up 25 percent, while Chevy sold 14,949 Equinoxes, up 16.7 percent. Ford did a lot of advertising, and it’s closer if you add in GMC Terrain sales, which were up 29 percent, to 6,301. This standard size for European crossovers is becoming more important in the U.S., and the Ford beat the Honda CR-V’s 21,998, up 42.7 percent. Toyota sold 16,082 RAV4s, off 39.9 percent.

View the original article here

March Sales: Gas Prices Push Compacts, Ford Beats GM

No April Fools here. It’s a good-news day for the economy. Unemployment fell to 8.8 percent, with 216,000 jobs added in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says, the lowest level in two years. Manufacturing contributed 17,000 jobs, many of them in the auto industry. Professional and business services added 78,000, although 37 percent of those were temp help jobs.

Manufacturing expanded by its fastest pace in nearly seven years, with help from both U.S. and overseas demand. Here in Michigan, the employment growth rate is running third highest in the nation, though unemployment remains in the double digits. Anecdotally, the Detroit Three are trying to lure computer geeks away from Silicon Valley. They may not be able to handle the weather, but they’ll like the housing prices. And Chrysler LLC is running out of room in its Auburn Hills tech center. So many of the new jobs in the Detroit Metro area are white collar, presumably with healthy salaries.

The automakers estimate March auto sales at 1.2 million units, up about 13.2 percent over March ‘10, counting medium and heavy-duty trucks. The seasonally adjusted average rate (SAAR) is running in the low 13-millions.

Still, statistics show little growth in average hourly rates, further widening this country’s long widening income gap. Sure, blame $3.65 per gallon gas, but perhaps slow income growth also is responsible for American consumers shifting to smaller cars. GM is trumpeting the fact that it sold 50,205 Chevy Cruzes in the first quarter of the year, compared with 48,725 Malibus and 49,541 Impalas. The Malibu and Impala have been trading places as Chevrolet’s number-one sedan in past months, and the Cruze passed them overall for the quarter by being second every month. Of 18,018 Cruzes sold in March, 15,541 were retail and 2,477 were fleet. Of 18,063 ancient Impalas, just 4,572 were retail and 13,491 were fleet.

Ford Motor outsold GM in March, as GM eased up on the incentives that gave it a strong January and February. GM says its March incentives were about the same as Ford and Chrysler’s, but above the industry average, in order to maintain, and gain market share.

B- and c-segment car retail market share for the industry increased from 19 percent in December 2010 to 21 percent in January/February, and to 25 percent in March, says Ford sales analyst George Pipas. Sport/utilities were off 4 points, to 29 percent retail market share, from December to March and full-size pickups were off 3 points, to 10 percent of retail share. Keep in mind these were numbers for the U.S. industry, not just Ford. However, Ford reported big numbers for its pickups and vans, including the Transit Connect, because it sold a lot of trucks to commercial fleets last month.

As evidence of oil price sensitivity, EcoBoost and 3.7-liter V-6 take rates on the F-150 are strong among retail buyers. B- and c-cars, or subcompacts and compacts, leveled off in the last three weeks of March as gas prices leveled (not unlike the spring 2008 scenario).

Pipas said he’s continuing to monitor whether fairly steady gas prices, or reduced small car inventory contributed most to this late-month flattening. Already, Fiesta inventory has dropped from a 60-day supply in late March to 40 days.

I’m concentrating on the Chevy Cruze, because it was the first new compact out after GM and Ford first said consumers were downsizing. They believe the compact segment will eventually pass the midsize segment, permanently, in the U.S. Chevy says its $19,000 Cruze average transaction price is $2,000 more than the soon-replaced Honda Civic and $3,000 more than the Toyota Corolla. Still, compare the Cruze’s ATP with GM’s average for cars, $25,900, reported for the second quarter of 2010.

GM has long claimed it can make money on small cars like the Chevy Cruze, but there’s a much bigger problem coming from the East. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami has affected the country’s domestic market and auto production. It has affected parts production, and power disruptions will affect production across the country for the next several months, at least. Publicly, GM, Ford, Chrysler and their foreign competitors are spinning the looming parts shortage. They’re “continually monitoring the situation” don’t have any shortage of models, yet. That will change later in the year if they don’t find alternate part supplies by mid-May. Second quarter profits across the industry could be in for a big, big hit.

And so, to the numbers …

1. Ford Motor Company: 212,777, up 19 percent.
First quarter: 496,720, up 15.9 percent.

Ford brand sales rose 28.2 percent, to 204,276.F-Series rose 25.3 percent, to 53,272.Twenty-two percent of ‘11 F-150 retail buyers bought the EcoBoost engine and 15 percent bought the 3.7 V-6. Ford’s retail order bank has a 40-percent take rate for the EcoBoost V-6.Fusion sales set a monthly record, at 27,566, up 21 percent. For the quarter, Ford has sold 65,023 Fusions, up 26.5 percent.Fiesta sales neared the 10k level, at 9,787.Escape was up 25 percent, to 23,975.Focus fell 11.9 percent, to 17,178 as the old model sold down. Only a handful of new ’12 Foci are in those numbers.Explorer was up 111.3 percent, to 12,482, and 10,828 of them were the new, unibody, transverse-engine ‘12 model.Explorer looks ready to take over for Flex, which has not been able to catch Chevy Traverse sales. Flex was down 28.8 percent, to 2,468.Lincoln dropped 2.2 percent, to 8,501 last month. Will it follow Mercury into the brand graveyard? Mercury sold 10,486 units in March ’10, and of course, zero last month.

2. GM: 206,621 up 9.6 percent.
First quarter: 592,545, up 24.1 percent

Chevy Silverado’s number was 32,555. Add 1,655 Avalanches (yes, Chevy still builds them) and 11,622 GMC Sierras to total 45,832 big trucks.Chevy Colorado was up 25.2 percent, to 2,561 and GMC Canyon was up 24.4 percent, to 765. Obviously, the temporary parts-shortage plant shutdown won’t affect these trucks.Chevy Camaro again beat Ford Mustang, though the gap is really thin. Camaro was up 0.7 percent, to 8,964 and Mustang was up 46.8 percent, to 8,557. Dodge sold 3,989 Challengers, up 24 percent.Impala was GM’s bestselling car, at 18,063 (+15.8 percent), mostly with fleet sales. Cruze was next, at 18,018 and Malibu was off 12.4 percent, to 15,551.Chevy Equinox was up 16.7 percent, to 14,949 and GMC Terrain was up 29 percent, to 6,301.Chevy Traverse was off 4.7 percent, to 8,230. GMC Acadia was off 5.9 percent, to 6,418. Buick Enclave was up 8.4 percent, to 4,899.Buick division was up 20.9 percent, to 15,663. Cadillac was up 4.5 percent, to 12,164.Chevy delivered 608 Volts, Rush.

3. Toyota-Scion-Lexus: 176,222, off 9.2 percent.
First quarter: 433,924, up 11 percent.

Toyota announced mid-year price increases that will affect cars and trucks at dealerships by May. The company says unfavorable exchange rates are responsible, and that the decision was made prior to the earthquake.Toyota reports no shortage of any models as a result of the earthquake. Like everyone else, Toyota is “monitoring” parts and production availability, and Prius and Lexus stand to be most affected.Lexus sales chief Mark Templin says the brand’s “pipeline is full” with Japanese-built models on the way.Corolla sales of 30,234, off 1.7 percent, nearly caught Camry sales, off 16.4 percent, to 31,464.Prius was up 52 percent to 18,605.Toyota has 12,250 Prii in U.S. inventory. It has an 18-day supply, versus 32 days at the beginning of March.Prius V’s August launch date in the U.S. has not been affected, so far.Tundra nosedived 32.9 percent, to 7,515. Tacoma was up 3.5 percent, to 10,144.Lexus division was off 1.5 percent, to 20,682.Lexus delivered 8 LFAs.

4. American Honda (includes Acura): 133,650 up 18.9 percent.
First quarter: 307,978, up 18.5 percent.

Accord beat Camry, with 33,616 sold, up 11.2 percent. Crosstour was off 22.5 percent at 2,083, despite a new ad campaign.Civic beat Corolla, up 33.8 percent to 31,213 as Honda tried to make room for the new model.Insight was up 62.2 percent, to 2,782.Honda sold 1,685 CR-Zs.Acura division was up 3.6 percent, to 12,611.TSX was off 11.9 percent, to 2,810, with 388 of those wagons.

5. Chrysler LLC: 121,730 up 31 percent.
First quarter: 286,950, up 23 percent.

Dodge brand was up 49 percent, to 44,102 and Jeep was up 36 percent, to 33,155.Chrysler sold 6,750 200s, versus 3,783 Sebrings last year (and 975 leftover Sebrings this March).Jeep Patriot was up 109 percent, to 5,602 and Compass was up 108 percent, to 3,703.The new Dodge Charger posted 8,986, up 44 percent, while Avenger was up 92 percent, to 5,954.Ram pickup was up 23 percent, to 21,898. Dakota was up 45 percent, to 1,612.Is this a joke? Fiat sold 500 500s.

6. Nissan North America (with Infiniti): 121,141, up 26.9 percent.
First quarter: 285,358, up 25 percent.

Nissan says this is a U.S. sales record for any month in its history. Despite that, it fell 589 units short of Chrysler.Altima outsold Camry at 32,289, up 31 percent.Sentra was up 104.7 percent, to 17,851 and Versa was off 19.8 percent, to 11,075.Titan was off 21.8 percent, to 1,920, and Frontier was up 12.7 percent, to 4,609.Murano was up 3.5 percent, to 5,682. Nissan sold 4,089 Jukes.Infiniti was up 13.5 percent, to 11,287.

7. Hyundai: 61,873, up 32 percent.
First quarter: 142,620, up 27.9 percent.

Add Kia sales for a total of 106,052, still seventh.Sold 22,894 Sonatas, up 20.9 percent.Good month for the new Elantra at 19,255, up 134 percent.Hyundai says 28 percent of its March sales units are rated 40 mpg highway, or higher.

8. Kia: 44,179, up 44.7 percent.
First quarter: 104,774, up 36.6 percent.

Bestseller Sorento was up 1,866 units, to 11,071.Soul nearly doubled, to 10,028.Optima was up 89.7 percent, to 6,891.

9. Mazda: 30,905, up 33.3 percent.
First quarter: 64,559, up 15.4 percent.

Passed Subaru, VW, BMW Group and Daimler since last calendar year’s numbers, with all models posting increases except the lame-duck Tribute (they still make -that?).The 5 minivan was up 139.4 percent, to 3,866.The 6 was up 15.3 percent, to 4,135.3 is the bestseller, at 12,467, up 9.8 percent.CX-9 was up 22.5 percent, to 3,635.CX-7 was up 30.7 percent, to 3,407.Spring is here: Miata was up 7 percent, to 645.

10. Volkswagen of America: 27,176, up 22.7 percent.
First quarter: 67,039, up 15.0 percent.

Best sales month in seven years, enough to move it ahead of Subaru and BMW Group.Add in Audi for a total of 36,944.Jetta was up 84.5 percent, to 16,969. Maybe there’s something to selling on price after all.CC was up 16.9 percent, to 2,331.Tiguan was up 12.5 percent, to 1,970.Golf was up 5.8 percent, to 3,106.

11. Subaru: 26,916, up 13.2 percent.
First quarter: 67,457, up 17.3 percent.

Slid behind Mazda and VW, but passed BMW Group.Outback was up 37.8 percent, to 10,498.Forester fell 9.9 percent, to 7,629.Legacy was up 27.6 percent, to 4,450.

12. BMW Group: 26,382, up 21.7 percent.
First quarter: 64,958, up 18 percent.

The new X3 posted 2,648 units, up 270 percent.5 Series was up 55.6 percent, to 4,491.Mini brand had its second-best sales month, ever in the U.S., at 6,087, up 68.6 percent. Its best month came the last time oil prices were rising; 6,312 units in May 2008.

13. Daimler AG: 22,971, up 11 percent.
First quarter: 57,262, up 10.2 percent.

Mercedes-Benz sold 21,484, up 9.4 percent.Smart sold 1,062, up 175.1 percent and Sprinter sold 425, off 37.2 percent.C-Class was up 8.9 percent, to 6,542.E-Class was up 21.1 percent, to 6,107.

14. Audi: 9,818, up 14.3 percent.
First quarter: 25,383, up 19.1 percent.

A4 was the bestseller, up 12.1 percent, to 3,428.R8 was the biggest gainer, up 103.8 percent, to 106.Q5 was up 22.5 percent, to 2,083.

15. Mitsubishi: 7,560, up 39 percent.
First quarter: 20,167, up 48 percent.

Outlander Sport was up 8.6 percent, to 1,401.

16. Volvo: 6,369, up 21.6 percent.

First-quarter sales are up 10.2 percent.Sold 1,952 S60s.

17. Jaguar/Land Rover: 4,315 up 16 percent.
Up 18 percent for the first quarter

Land Rover was up 26 percent, to 3,441.Jaguar was off 11 percent, to 874.

18. Porsche: 2,588, up 36 percent.
First quarter: 7,007, up 34 percent.

Cayenne sold 1,049, up from 397 in March ’10.Panamera sold 654, up from 542.911 was off, to 609 from 615. Boxster/Cayman fell to 276 from 351.

19. American Suzuki: 2,497, up 11 percent.
First quarter: 6,702, up 18 percent.

SX4 is the bestseller, off 14 percent to 1,070.Kizashi was up 77 percent, to 703.

Saab Cars North America: N/A

Compacts in March:

1.)   Honda Civic: 31,213

2.)   Toyota Corolla: 30,234

3.)   Hyundai Elantra: 19,255

4.)   Chevy Cruze: 18,018

5.)   Nissan Sentra: 17,851

Midsize cars in March:

1.)   Honda Accord: 33,616

2.)   Nissan Altima: 32,289

3.)   Toyota Camry: 31,464

4.)   Ford Fusion: 27,566

View the original article here

Analysts: Gas Prices Could Bring Economic Recovery To A Halt

Just when it looked like people were more willing to spend money again on non-essential items—and on more essential (but deferrable) purchases like new cars—rising prices at the pump could grind some aspects of economic recovery to a halt.

After a major price spike in summer 2008, when prices topped $4 a gallon on a national average, gasoline prices plummeted at the end of 2008 to well under $2 then after a quick rise to about $2.50 have risen only gradually until about a month ago. Prices have risen about 40 cents a gallon over the past month.

Although prices this time aren't expected to spike with the volatility they did in 2008, many analysts haven't ruled out $4 gas this year—especially after political events in the Middle East and North Africa.

According to Nielsen Wire, a 50-cent increase in gas prices would cost the typical U.S. household about $52.50 per month, and if prices were to rise two dollars, that would mean $210 a month, or more than $2,500 a year.

Compounding the situation, Nielsen says, is that commodity prices are also on the rise, pushing profits down and leaving manufacturers and retailers afraid that if prices rise, they'll alienate shoppers. And with wages not keeping pace with inflation either, they will.

Ultimately, this stint of higher gas prices, however long it might last, will result in less eating out, more value-conscious shopping, and the increased use of coupons—along with trip compression.

Will this affect new-car purchases, too? It might be too early to tell, but as we've already reported that it appears to be creating a run on small, fuel-efficient cars, it likely will to some degree. As to whether it will damp an already depressed auto market even further...let's hope not.

[Nielsen Wire]

View the original article here

High Gas Prices May Soon Turn Your Lovely Suburb Into A Slum

Source: GreenCarReports.com

Kibera slums outside Nairobi, Kenya, by Flickr user Chrissy Olson

Enlarge Photo

Americans rarely think much about zoning, but it governs almost every facet of how we live our lives.

And unintended consequences of 50-year-old zoning codes may be about to turn some of our loveliest and quietest suburbs into the next slums.

Why? Simply because they've been built too far away from everything else, and we won't be able to afford the gasoline it takes to go to and fro.

Suburbs: slums of the future?

At least, that's the provocative conclusion of Peter Newman, one of the authors of a study released by the Planning Institute of Australia late last year.

The study looks at the future of suburban Australia, which has evolved in patterns very much like suburban America: sprawling, low-density, auto-dependent residential enclaves miles away from commercial areas and office parks.

"Urban sprawl is finished," Newman told The Age. "If we continue to roll out new land releases and suburbs that are car-dependent, they will become the slums of the future.''

Homes vs stores vs offices & factories

Following World War II, with the rise of affordable automobiles, cheap fuel, and an increasingly affluent society, the brand-new suburban house on its own half- or full-acre plot was the American dream.

Zoning codes adopted in the U.S. isolated residences from any commercial and industrial activities, often in curving cul-de-sacs sans sidewalks. Many developments could be entered only from a single point off high-speed arterial roads.

No longer could you send the kid to the corner store on his bike to pick up a gallon of milk.

That corner store became a big-box chain store up to 10 miles away, and public transportation was ignored as a relic of decaying central cities.

Will cheap gasoline end?

That worked fine as long as gasoline remained cheap. With the greater difficulty of extracting and refining hydrocarbon-based fuels, not to mention unrest in oil-producing countries, we may be entering a future of permanently pricier gasoline.

For those trapped in "affordable" suburban homes 50 miles or more from their jobs, the theory goes, there will be few options other than more fuel-efficient vehicles. The value of the homes will decline and the neighborhoods will decay.

We're not entirely convinced by Newman's prediction. More stringent corporate average fuel-economy laws are improving the average gas mileage of all vehicles. U.S. gasoline consumption actually peaked in 2006, and will likely fall more in coming years.

Households can switch to more fuel-efficient cars, and some level of telecommuting holds promise as well. Still, the housing market ruthlessly adjusts the value of all residences in real time.

Just too far away

This was evident in a late-2008 visit to California's High Desert, the very furthest reach of exurban development. The area had seen huge waves of "affordable" town houses and starter homes for buyers priced out of Los Angeles.

Located 90 miles from central LA, the area was simply too far from most jobs. When gasoline prices spiked in 2008, half-built condos were abandoned, fully-built developments stayed empty, and developers walked away. 

Plug-ins offer hope

One ray of hope may be plug-in cars: The cost of driving a mile on grid electricity is one-fifth to one-half the cost of driving the same mile on $4-per-gallon gasoline in a 25-mpg vehicle. They're pricey today, but they'll get cheaper over time.

Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid prototype, tested in November 2010

Enlarge Photo

Unfortunately, the elected representatives of suburban enclaves are historically many of the same ones who have consistently voted against Federal funding for development and rollout of plug-in vehicles--which could come to be viewed as sacrificing long-term salvation for short-term convenience.

While the complete Australian study is only available online to members of the Planning Institute, we might recommend such works as James Howard Kunstler's The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape.

Meanwhile, consider this question: How high would a gallon of gas have to rise before you'd reconsider where you now live?

Leave us your thoughts in the Comments below.

[The Age via TreeHugger; photos of Kibera slum by Chrissy Olson]

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